Ledger

Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Kevin Prentiss lets students in on the secrets of social networking Web sites.

Almost everyone is a part of a social networking Web site. In fact, according to Kevin Prentiss, 93% of college students use MySpace or Facebook. Sixty-three percent of those students log on daily.

Prentiss started his first company while still in college. Since then he has started more companies, the newest of which is swiftkickonline.com. Swift Kick is an education company that works to encourage student engagement through leadership, technology and community. His work is what brought him to the University of Washington Tacoma.

"MySpace is the new handshake," Prentiss said during his visit to UWT on March 17. More than 30 students gathered to hear him discuss the infinite networking possibilities available because of modern technology.

Checking in with friends and posting your favorite pictures is all well and good but there's no reason to stop there.

Juan Mann, a 26-year-old Australian, is an ordinary person who sparked a worldwide movement. During a particularly hard time in his life, he wanted to do something to make himself feel better.

He picked up some cardboard and a marker, went to the busiest intersection he knew and held up a sign with the words "FREE HUGS." He spent his day hugging total strangers and ultimately making himself, and them, feel a little better.

When Mann's friend Shimon Moore, drummer for the Australian-based band Sick Puppies, put the band's music to the film it became an instant hit on YouTube.

Since then viewers have taken that idea and started similar campaigns all over the world.
NewMindSpace (www.NewMindSpace.com) is another example of ordinary people doing remarkable things by way of the Internet. Founders Kevin Bracken and Lori Kufner plan free events like pillow fights, lightsaber battles and subway parties, using their Web site as an open invitation to the public. Planning these events is a part of their mission to "reclaiming public space, inventing new ways of having fun, and creating community."

Creating a social movement may not be for everyone but even posting video clips, profiles and blogs online creates your "digital identity." In many cases, this is the first impression people have of you.

"Your digital ID will precede yourself," Prentiss said during his presentation.
According to Prentiss, 60% of employers search the Internet for information about business associates, including potential employees. As technology becomes more advanced, finding your information becomes easier and easier. The pictures your friend took at last week's keg party is probably not the impression you want to make.

Prentiss advises "know your digital ID, it is a massive network."

Students must prepare themselves for the competitive world they are entering. To be successful, we must use every advantage we have, take advantage of all available resources.

"If you want to be successful," said Prentiss, "find a parade and get in front of it."

Prentiss believes that technology provides an incredible opportunity for the current generation - if you know how to use it.

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